Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Inclusive Education) is designed for teachers and education professionals who want to develop specialist knowledge and practical skills in inclusive and special education.
• It focuses on supporting learners with diverse learning needs and on working collaboratively with teachers and other professionals to help learners succeed in inclusive education systems.
• Students engage with current developments in special and inclusive education theory and practice.
• The programme combines theoretical understanding with practical application relevant to education settings.
• Massey uses an enquiry-based and inter-professional approach across its Postgraduate Diploma in Education, with distance and blended learning approaches designed to provide flexibility for students in different locations.
• The qualification can be completed as an Inclusive Education endorsement, although completing an endorsement is not compulsory.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education consists of 120 credits.

For a student taking the Inclusive Education specialisation, the structure is generally:

• 30 credits of compulsory PGDipEd core study
• At least 60 credits from Inclusive Education
• A further 30 credits from the permitted subject/elective schedules.

Current core study includes:

• 254710 Ruia taitea: Transforming Education – 15 credits
  • Critical issues in education in a neo-colonial and settler-society context
  • Social justice
  • Cultural location
  • Collective wellbeing in education
• 15 credits selected from approved research-methods courses, including:
  • 267721 Research Methodologies in Education – 15 credits
  • 267741 Indigenous Research Methodologies – 15 credits

Inclusive Education endorsement courses currently include:

• 249733 Manarite in Education – 30 credits
  • Equity through the framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• 249734 Equity and Inclusion in Education – 30 credits
  • Equity and inclusion through a human-rights lens
• 249742 Neurodiversity in Education – 30 credits
  • Neurodiversity and its implications and applications in education

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme-specific specialisation is:

• Inclusive Education

The wider Postgraduate Diploma in Education currently provides a number of endorsement areas, including:

• Digital Education
• Early Years
• Educational Administration and Leadership
• Inclusive Education
• Literacy Education
• M?ori Education
• Mathematics Education

The qualification can also be completed without a specialisation.

For this programme, the academic focus is particularly on:

• Inclusive education
• Special education
• Equity and inclusion
• Neurodiversity
• Diverse learning needs
• Education and social justice
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Human-rights approaches to education
• Educational research methodologies

Programme Highlights

• 120-credit NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• Dedicated Inclusive Education specialisation.
• Distance and online delivery.
• Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.
• Focus on diverse learning needs and inclusive educational practice.
• Current course options include equity, inclusion and neurodiversity.
• Research-methods study forms part of the qualification's core.
• Students can potentially continue to a Master of Education in Inclusive Education after completing the diploma, subject to the master's admission and credit requirements.
• Massey currently states that its Education subject is ranked in the world's top 350 universities for Education in the QS World University Rankings. This is a university/subject-level ranking rather than a ranking of this particular diploma.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that graduates can contribute to special and inclusive education in a variety of settings, including:

• Early-years education
• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Tertiary education
• Government organisations
• Non-government organisations

The qualification can support professional development in areas such as:

• Inclusive education
• Special education
• Learning support
• Educational support
• Inclusive teaching practice
• Education policy and practice
• Work with diverse learners
• Professional education and support services

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme requires 120 credits.
• The Inclusive Education endorsement requires at least 60 credits from the current endorsement schedule.
• The current Inclusive Education courses include Manarite in Education, Equity and Inclusion in Education, and Neurodiversity in Education.
• July starters require an additional semester because of course sequencing.
• Applicants without a teaching qualification must demonstrate relevant professional experience and provide a CV.
• Official academic transcripts from previous universities are required.
• The programme does not provide New Zealand teacher qualification/registration.
• Massey's qualification regulations allow the PGDipEd to be awarded with Merit or Distinction where the applicable academic requirements are met.
• Regulations can change, and Massey specifically advises returning students to check transitional provisions where applicable.